THE PARS face Livingston again less than three weeks after the teams played out a goalless draw at Almondvale but recent results have meant that Livi’s play-off position is far more secure.

Athletic must win to get back in contention and Betvictor make them 31/20 to claim the three points. Livingston are 9/5 and a draw 23/10. Draws are no good to the Pars now but they are not in good enough form to warrant a more positive forecast.

Prediction: Dunfermline 1 Livingston 1.

Dundee United might prove to be the team most vulnerable against a surge from one of the sides outside the play-off places; moreover they face a tough game at home to St Mirren tomorrow (Friday) night (BT Sport 1, 7.45pm). The prices happen to be identical to the Dunfermline match: the Terrors 31/20, a draw 23/10 and the Buddies 9/5.

Providing the weather improves, it is Scottish Cup quarter-finals weekend, not that the draw has not been kind to the two Championship sides left in the competition.

Greenock Morton have scorched up the league table following a 13-point haul from a possible 15 but a trip to Parkhead is an altogether different test of their credentials (Sky Sports Football, Saturday 12.30pm). Coral have written them off at 45/1, while the Bhoys are 1/14 (Skybet) and a draw 14/1 (Bet365). The match will probably boil down to whether the 'Ton can keep it close; off a -3 handicap Celtic are 7/5 (Paddy Power), a tie 15/4 (Bet365) and Morton 13/10 (Coral). Assessing how watertight the Morton defence is going to be would not be top of the analysis list for a weekend wager but for what it is worth, their current form can see them reward those backing them with a three-goal start.

Prediction: Celtic 2 Greenock Morton 0.

The two other televised matches take place on Sunday; BBC Scotland choosing to focus on the Motherwell versus Hearts clash (2.15pm). The 'Well are 8/5 (Skybet), a draw 23/10 and the Jambos 9/5. All the indications are that this will be closely-fought but perhaps home advantage can prove crucial.

Prediction: Motherwell 1 Hearts 0.

Rangers will be delighted with a plum draw at home to second-tier strugglers Falkirk (Sky Sports Football, 4.15pm) and although the Bairns have improved in the last couple of months, it is difficult to see them springing a 16/1 shock (Hills). The Gers are 2/9 (Skybet) and a stalemate 6/1 (Bet365). Rangers are 8/5 (Betfred) to defy a -2 handicap, a tie is 3/1 (Bet365) while the Bairns are 5/4. This does not promise to be a game that lives long in the memory but Rangers can win easily.

Prediction: Rangers 4 Falkirk 0.

The final game is a Saturday 3pm encounter involving Aberdeen and Kilmarnock. The Dons are 3/4, a draw 11/4 (Hills) and Killie 19/5. The Ayrshire side are in good form and might catch Aberdeen at the right time, with the hosts having lost their last two games.

Prediction: Aberdeen 0 Kilmarnock 1.